Free Flu Vaccines from PA Dept. of Health

Pennsylvania’s Department of Health will offer free flu vaccinations Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 60 state health centers.

Department of Health spokeswoman Holli Senior says the National Influenza Immunization Week clinics were brought on by excess vaccine Pennsylvania received from other states.

The vaccine will protect people from the two flu strains most prevalent in the state this season.

“One is influenza A/H3N2, which is a strain that disproportionately impacts older adults. The second strain that we’re seeing is 2009 H1N1, a strain that is known to impact younger individuals,” says Senior.

The clinics will be open at all state health centers, including those in Beaver, Somerset, Butler and Greensburg, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday; from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday; and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Allegheny County is not included because the County Health Department operates its own flu shot clinic.

Senior says people should make appointments to be sure there will be enough vaccine available. Appointments can be made online or by calling 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

As Flu Season Begins, State Encourages Vaccine

It’s flu season again, and after the first casualty to the virus in Pennsylvania, state residents are encouraged to protect themselves and others by getting a flu shot.

The State Department of Health Acting Secretary Michael Huff has confirmed a 45-year-old man from Lehigh County as Pennsylvania’s first reported flu-related death of the 2010-11 flu season.

“This individual was confirmed to have 2009 H1N1, which we know is beginning to circulate."

Huff says this year’s seasonal influenza vaccine provides protection against 2009 H1N1, as well as two other strains of flu, A/H3N2 and influenza B which are circulating in Pennsylvania.

“If there’s any good news in this, the good news is that both of those types of Influenza are covered in this year’s flu preparation,” Huff says. “Every year with the exception of last year there are three strains in the influenza vaccine.”

It is estimated that more than 36,000 Americans, and around 1,000 Pennsylvanian’s, die from flu-related complications yearly.

Huff says that it’s important to keep common work areas clean, along with frequently washing your hands, especially after sneezing or coughing. Most important however, is getting a flu shot, to protect both your and your family.

“An influenza vaccine, a flu shot, is the most important and effective way to protect not only your health, but the health of your loved ones.”

For those already infected with the flu, Huff advises staying home from work and avoiding contact with the healthy until you are fever-free, in order to prevent spreading.

131 Marcellus Wastewater Trucks Idled

For three days last week, Pennsylvania State Troopers targeted trucks hauling wastewater from Marcellus Shale gas drilling sites across the state. Lieutenant Myra Taylor, spokesperson for the state police, says the Marcellus drilling has led to an increase in heavy truck traffic hauling equipment and water to the drill sites and wastewater away from the wells.
Lieutenant Taylor says during Operation FracNET June 14-16, state police working with the Department of Environmental Protection, pulled over 1,137 trucks for inspection. The majority were hauling wastewater. As a result, 250 rigs were taken out of service, 131 of those were hauling wastewater, and 45 drivers were also taken off the road. In addition, 669 citations and 818 written warnings were issued. The trucks that were removed from service cannot return to the roads until safety violations are repaired.
Lieutenant Taylor says they've been working with truck operators...."in understanding what is needed should you be crossing our roadways, our highways, living in our communities, to ensure that Pennsylvanians are safe. There has been some voluntary cooperation but as you can see from the results of our operation, unfortunately there are far too many people and trucks in violation."
Lieutenant Taylor warned truck operators this will not be the last operation targeting the rigs hauling wastewater.

H1N1 Peaked in PA But Another Wave Expected

Although health officials confirm that swine flu has peaked, Pennsylvania’s Acting Physician General says there is still a lot of H1N1 around.
Dr. Stephen Ostroff says there are more than 10 thousand confirmed cases in the state and that represents only a small portion of the actual number. Ostroff says there have been 57 confirmed fatalities but they believe the actual death toll is at least 4 times that. Ostroff says the spread of the disease began to slow in November but even though it’s peaked it’s still important to take precautions.
Ostroff says he was frustrated that the vaccine did not become available as rapidly as the swine flu came around in early fall but the supply and demand has about evened out. In fact, the vaccine might soon be available to people not in the five targeted groups: pregnant women, people between 6 months and 24 years old; care providers for children less than 6 months; medical personnel; and, those between 25 and 64 with underlying conditions. He says it’s still important to get the vaccine because they expect another wave of the H1N1 to hit in winter or very early spring.

Listen to an extended interview with Dr. Ostroff

Swine Flu Vaccine Clinics Today

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is offering free swine flu vaccine clinics for high risk groups starting today. Spokeswoman Stacy Kriedeman says they continue to target at-risk groups, including pregnant women, people between 6 months and 24 years old, care givers for babies less than 6 months old, health care personnel, and people between 25 and 64 with underlying conditions. However, those at-risk groups comprise about half of Pennsylvania's 12 million residents. To date, Pennsylvania has received 1.7 million doses of vaccine and is getting about 400,000 to 500,000 doses each week.
The clinics in Allegheny County today are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chartiers Valley High School in Collier Township, McKeesport High School, North Allegheny High School in McCandless, and Pittsburgh Schenley High School in East Liberty.

Some PA Residents to Get Free H1N1 Vaccine

After weeks of delays, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is offering free clinics to provide H1N1 vaccines to high-risk groups.

Those groups are pregnant women, people under 24 years old, medical and health care personnel, people who care for children younger than six months, and anyone aged 25-64 years with a serious medical condition.

Department of Health Spokeswoman Stacy Kriedeman says this is a crucial time for vaccinations, because the H1N1 threat is far from over.

“It’s important that people, particularly those in the recommended groups, continue to get vaccinated against H1N1,” says Kriedeman. “We also anticipate there will be a third wave of this pandemic, so we don’t want people to get complacent.”

Vaccines can be found in the injection and nasal spray form at eighteen sites across the state. Anyone who wants vaccination must download and complete a consent form online at < www.h1n1PA.com >.

Southwestern Pennsylvania sites for H1N1 vaccination:

• Richland Township Fire Department
1321 Scalp Avenue, Johnstown PA, 15904
(Cambria, Somerset, and Indiana Counties)
• Mon Valley State Health Center
Eastgate 11, Monessen PA, 15062
(Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties)
• Butler County State Health Center
100 Brugh Avenue [Suite 201], Butler PA, 16001
(Butler, Armstrong, and Beaver Counties)

Allegheny County H1N1 vaccination sites:

• Chartiers Valley High School
50 Thoms Run Road, Collier
• McKeesport High School
1960 Eden Park Boulevard, McKeesport
• North Allegheny High School
10375 Perry Highway, McCandless
• Schenley High School
129 Denniston Avenue, East Liberty

Pregnant Women Can Get Free H1N1 Shots

The Allegheny County Health Department will hold its first free H1N1 influenza vaccination clinic Saturday at its office at 3441 Forbes Avenue. The clinic from 9am to 3 pm is for pregnant women only. ACHD Spokesperson Guillermo Cole says the county has a limited number of vaccinations so it needs to make sure it gets into the right population. He says pregnant women are among the most at risk of being hospitalized due to complications from flu in general and especially from H1N1. Pregnant women are four times more likely to be hospitalized after contracting H1N1 than the general population. Free parking will be available in the lot behind the Health Department building at 3333 Forbes Avenue. No appointment is necessary but the county only has 3,000 doses. Cole says it is unclear when the department will get another shipment but as more H1N1 vaccine becomes available, the Department plans to schedule additional clinics and offer vaccinations to other members of the community. Women planning to get the shot are asked to download the vaccination consent form and have it filled out before coming to the clinic.

Swine Flu Declining in Pittsburgh Area

Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. Bruce Dixon says H1Ni, Swine Flu, may have hit its peak in the county. Dr. Dixon told the County Health Board that the number of visits to hospital emergency rooms is declining and the outbreak could be over by the end of the month.
State Health Department officials says they've seen a similar drop in swine flu cases in other parts of southwestern Pennsylvania, but not across the state. Health officials are still urging people in the at-risk groups including pregnant women, young people between 6 months and 24 years old, health care and EMS workers, those in contact with very young children, and those under 65 with an underlying health condition to get the swine flu vaccine as it becomes available.

Swine Flu Cases Rise, More Vaccine Coming

State Health Department officials say the amount of H1N1 cases across the state has increased exponentially over the past few weeks, and the doses of vaccine arriving in Pennsylvania are beginning to rise.
Since early September, the number of Pennsylvanians diagnosed with influenza has gone from a few hundred to just under four thousand. That rate has skyrocketed in the past two weeks, especially. Acting Physician General Dr. Stephen Ostroff says officials expected the number to go up in the fall, but he’s “especially surprised” at how quickly it’s risen.
Ostroff says the majority of the cases are school-aged children and teenagers.

"This continues to be very much a wave of influenza that affects the very young. About 70 to 75 percent of all of the cases we’ve been seeing are in individuals between the ages of 5 and 24 years of age."

Ostroff says to date, Pennsylvania officials have distributed around 820-thousand vaccines. The commonwealth is expected to receive four to five hundred thousand doses next week and a few hundred thousand doses per week over the coming months.
Deputy Health Secretary Michael Huff says H1N1 vaccines will be distributed on a priority basis over the coming months.

"What we’re trying to do is target those individuals that are in the greatest need. Those people that, again, complications, hospitalizations, those that care for the other sick and individuals in the hospitals."

Though at that rate, the Health Department won’t be able to meet the requested amount of 7 million doses until early winter.

18 Suspected H1N1 Cases at CMU

Since classes began at Carnegie Mellon University yesterday, 18 possible cases of the swine flu have been reported to the University's Student Health Services. CMU Spokesman Ken Walters says they have been following CDC precautions to help prevent the spread. An e-mail was sent to students Monday night advising them of the situation and that if they experience flu-like symptoms and a fever to immediately call Student Health Services. The e-mail had also called for isolation until 24 hours pass with no fever. Walters says it's still "business as usual", with classes going uninterrupted. He also notes that 18 cases at a university with more than 10,000 is a very small percentage, and students should not be alarmed. All suspected cases have been mild.

Walters says they are not testing for the flu, in accordance with CDC guidelines saying it is not necessary if it is not the first tested in the community. He says there were 6 to 8 suspected cases at the University over the summer. Allegheny County Health Department Spokesman Guillermo Cole says CMU is taking all the necessary precautions for the situation.

Study Says Current Swine Flu Linked to Past Outbreaks

A new study from Pitt says its possible that humans release past strains on themselves during research of the H1N1 virus. A type of swine flu from 1950 remerged in 1977, when scientists were doing increased research on the virus after a 1976 outbreak at Fort Dix in New Jersey.

Lead author Shanta Zimmer says H1N1 has been harassing humans in various forms for over 90 years. "We've actually been dealing with a virus that has similarities to 1918's through our regular seasonal influenza, because our regular seasonal influenza that we see annually called H1N1 also has some genetic similarity to that original sequence," says Zimmer.

Zimmer says there is usually a link between past and future virus strains, and therefore similarities in research and treatment. She says we need to pay attention to a virus's history when confronting it now. Zimmer says despite the case of 1977, there are no problems with the way viruses are stored or researched now.

Pennsylvania Has First Swine Flu Death

The 55 year old woman who became Pennsylvania's first swin flu fatality had other health complications. Governor Ed Rendell says the Berks County woman who died Thursday night also suffered from diabetes and asthma. There are 361 confirmed cases of the H1N1 swine flu in Pennsylvania including a 27 year old man who is hospitalized in critical condition in Philadelphia. The governor says there is no need to panic....there are 2.4 million doses of anti-virals and they are very effective.
Rendell said if you are feeling sick and show symptoms of the flu you should see a doctor immediately and not go to work. The governor said while swine flu has faded from the daily headlines, it has not gone away.

3rd Confirmed Case Of Swine Flu in County

A student at Carson Middle School in the North Allegheny School District has been diagnosed with swine flu: the third confirmed case in Allegheny County. The County Health Departemnt says the student has been recovering at home and no family members show signs of the illness. The North Allegheny District has not noticed higher levels of absenteeism, so Carson Middle School will remain open. The other county residents diagnosed with swine flu have recovered.

1st Confirmed Case of Swine Flu in Allegheny County

Western Pennsylvania has its first confirmed case of the H1N1 Swine flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that a 30 year old Allegheny County man contracted the new swine flu. County Health Department spokesman Dave Zazac says the man did not travel to Mexico but did travel to Colorado which did have cases of the flu. Zazac says the man went to his doctor to seek treatment, lives alone and stayed home which likely prevented the spread of the illness. The man had a mild case of the swine flu and has since recovered.
Pennsylvania now has a total of 10 confirmed cases of swine flu in Allegheny, Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Luzerne, Lycoming and Montgomery Counties.
Zazac says that there are no other probable cases in Allegheny County at this time but officials do anticipate more. He says since this is the end of the "regular" flu season, if you get flu symptoms, go to the doctor for treatment and to be tested to see if you have swine flu.

First Case of Swine Flu reported in Pennsylvania

Health officials confirmed Pennsylvania's first case of swine flu Sunday in a 31-year-old man in suburban Philadelphia's Montgomery County. Governor Ed Rendell says that the man had recently arrived from Mexico but had recovered. Officials are investigating seven more probable cases of the illness, including three probable cases in Philadelphia, two in Montgomery County, and one each in Bucks, Lycoming and Luzerne counties. Pennsylvania Health Secretary Everette James urged calm and common sense precautions such as washing hands frequently, covering the face when coughing or sneezing and staying home in the event of illness to avoid infecting others.

No Confirmed Swine Flu Cases In PA

Pennsylvania Health Officials says there are still no confirmed case of the new swine flu in the state, and that a 2 year old Philadelphia boy's illness that had been considered a suspected case, has been ruled out as swine flu. Officials say there are 5 probable cases in the state, all in Montgomery County and Philadelphia.
Meantime, 20 Slippery Rock University seniors graduated yesterday in a separate ceremony. 22 seniors might have been exposed to the new swine flu while student teaching in Mexico. University officials barred them from the regular graduation ceremony after other students and parents expressed concern. 2 of the 22 did not attend the separate ceremony. None of the 22 have shown signs of illness.

Negative for Swine Flu on both Counts in County

Two possible cases of swine flu in Allegheny County have returned negative. However, County Executive Dan Onorato says there is a possibility that could change. Dr. Bruce Dixon says it is such a huge concern because there are variables with the swine flu, like how contagious it is and how fast it can spread. However, Dr. Dixon says it's best to be careful and use common sense rather than go overboard. He says the outbreak of the swine flu in 1976 ended in more deaths from the vaccine than the flu itself.

Next flu season is completely unpredictable, Dr. Dixon says. The swine flu could possibly stay at bay through the summer and then return in the winter months, but there is no way know for sure.